Nestle acquires majority participation in Malher Group

Nestlé and Malher have announced an agreement for Nestlé to become the majority shareholder of the Guatemalan group. Malher manufactures, markets, and distributes culinary products and powdered beverages under leading brands such as Malher, Yus, and Toki. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Financial details of the agreement are not disclosed.

Malher—which owns two factories and four distribution centers—has more than 50 years successful commercial presence in Guatemala and is also present in other Central American countries, the Caribbean, and North America. Malher currently employs more than 1,300 people who, together with the Nestlé team, will further develop the business in the region.

Thanks to this participation, Nestlé will strengthen its position in the culinary business in Guatemala and enter the powdered beverages sector. Malher’s product portfolio, combined with its product distribution all over Guatemala, fits perfectly with Nestlé’s strategy to expand in emerging markets.

“Malher Group and its prestigious brands will consolidate Nestlé’s leadership in the culinary category in the Central American Region. This association will be very positive as it will complement Nestlé’s research and development expertise with Malher’s best in class product distribution in the region, allowing us to be closer to our consumers,” said Luis Cantarell, Executive Vice President of Nestlé’s Zone Americas.